CLO Priorities 2026: Highlights and Takeaways from the Learning Leaders Panel

Introduction

Five senior learning and talent leaders sat down for a live webinar on the priorities defining the CLO role this year, from proving ROI to scaling AI and earning a genuine seat at the strategy table. The conversation kept circling back to one tension: learning leaders already know what good looks like. The harder part is closing the gap between that understanding and what actually happens inside the organization day by day.

This research brief from Brandon Hall Group™, licensed to Liberate, captures the data points and practitioner perspectives from that session, with each panelist sharing how their own organization is measuring impact, scaling learning technology, and building the stakeholder relationships that turn learning into a genuine business partner.

eBook Overview

• Introduction  
• Our Panelists  
• The State of L&D  
• What the Research Shows  
• Segment 1: Performance and People  
• Segment 2: Rapid-Fire Round  
• Segment 3: Purpose and Technology  
• The Year’s Biggest Priority: Proving ROI  
• Panelist Closing Words  
• Key Takeaways  
• About Liberate  
• Authors and Contributors  
• About Brandon Hall Group™  

FAQs

1. Who should read this brief?

This brief is designed for Chief Learning Officers, L&D heads, and talent leaders who want to align learning with business strategy and drive measurable performance outcomes.

2. What will I gain from reading it?

You will get practical insights on proving ROI, scaling learning technology, and building the stakeholder relationships that turn L&D into a genuine business partner.

3. Is the brief free to access?

Yes. The brief is available for free download as part of Liberate's commitment to advancing high-impact learning practices.

4. What should I do after reading it?

Use the Key Takeaways section as a quick checklist to benchmark where your own L&D function stands against the five practices that separate strategic learning teams from order-takers.

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